Spatial heterogeneity of autoinducer regulation systems

Burkhard A. Hense, Johannes Müller, Christina Kuttler, Anton Hartmann

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

Autoinducer signals enable coordinated behaviour of bacterial populations, a phenomenon originally described as quorum sensing. Autoinducer systems are often controlled by environmental substances as nutrients or secondary metabolites (signals) from neighbouring organisms. In cell aggregates and biofilms gradients of signals and environmental substances emerge. Mathematical modelling is used to analyse the functioning of the system. We find that the autoinducer regulation network generates spatially heterogeneous behaviour, up to a kind of multicellularity-like division of work, especially under nutrient-controlled conditions. A hybrid push/pull concept is proposed to explain the ecological function. The analysis allows to explain hitherto seemingly contradicting experimental findings.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4156-4171
Number of pages16
JournalSensors (Switzerland)
Volume12
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2012

Keywords

  • Autoinducer regulation network
  • Division of work
  • Hybrid push/pull control
  • Quorum sensing
  • Spatial heterogeneity

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